In this final episode of this 8-episode series exploring Cassandra: An Ongoing Tragedy, playwright Ruth Cantrell provides insights into the fictional characters she has placed into historical tragedies, and their individual journeys following the traumatic events that shaped them. Composer Michael V. Ficocelli gives an in-depth explanation into his musical choices in creating the sound for the Four Sacred Creatures of Vietnam, and Kim’s (the young survivor of the My Lai massa

Scene Six of CASSANDRA: AN ONGOING TRAGEDY brings us back to the story of Pandora’s Box. All the evils have escaped, and the lone voice of Hope remains. Playwright Ruth Cantrell and composer Michael V. Ficocelli discuss the elusive Hope from both philosophical and musical standpoints, respectively.

In this episode, playwright Ruth Cantrell shares thoughts on why she wrote this play, CASSANDRA: AN ONGOING TRAGEDY, and how the character of Cassandra figures into the title of Scene Five, “Warriors of Hate.” Composer Michael V. Ficocelli chooses to focus on Cassandra, and how her story influenced his compositions for the recurring Cassandra themes.

Scene Four of CASSANDRA: AN ONGOING TRAGEDY deals with the sexual assault of young women in particular. Cassandra, Princess of Troy and priestess of Athena is raped in the very temple of Athena where she seeks refuge. Saraya, a schoolgirl in Chibok, Nigeria, is kidnapped, sexually assaulted, but escapes the fate of her classmates of being forced into marriages with the Boko Haram militia. Delores, a teenage girl, is raped by her best friend’s father, in a crime of opportunit

Scene Three of CASSANDRA: AN ONGOING TRAGEDY focuses on being forced to flee one’s homeland. Ester escapes the horror that was the Holocaust, while Lupe escapes the violence of the prolonged civil war in El Salvador. Both the playwright, Ruth Cantrell, and the composer, Michael V. Ficocelli discuss how these characters’ two different situations brought about different connections in the words and the music.

Scene Two of CASSANDRA: AN ONGOING TRAGEDY, after Cassandra speaks of her being cursed by Apollo, brings us to the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and the school shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Playwright Ruth Cantrell crafted this scene of different tragedies of children in harm’s way, while composer Michael V. Ficocelli uses diverse musical references to underscore the tragedy and violence.

Scene One of CASSANDRA: AN ONGOING TRAGEDY deals with war – the Trojan War, the Vietnam War, and the war of terrorism. In Episode 2, playwright Ruth Cantrell discusses how three women, Hecuba, Kim, and Maryam, separated by time and geography suffer and face universal sufferings. Composer Michael V. Ficocelli explains the influence of global music on creating music for Vietnam and Pakistan.

The Prologue of CASSANDRA: AN ONGOING TRAGEDY opens with the release of the Evils of the world from Pandora’s Box. We are then introduced to the character of Cassandra. In Episode 1, playwright Ruth Cantrell talks about why she chose Cassandra as a central figure in the play. Composer Michael V. Ficocelli provides musical details on how composing “Troubles & Vices,” the opening dance number of the play, laid the foundation for the rest of the score.

How MDTC's production of CASSANDRA: AN ONGOING TRAGEDY by Ruth Cantrell has resonated with those involved. ACTIVE SHOOTER! by Katherine Shamdin Katherine Shamdin Dear Mosaic patrons, as we prepare the premiere of our new work CASSANDRA: AN ONGOING TRAGEDY, I wanted to share my personal relationship with the work. I play many characters throughout the performance that have difficult hardships. As a performer it causes you to confront your personal life story and how it contras

We all know how a favorite article of clothing can lift our spirits. And, dancers have their favorite costumes. A few Mosaic dancers tell you about their personal favorites. Which costume will Katherine Shamdin choose? Morgiana Celeste Varricchio, tell us your choice.